Mary C. Chavez

Former Durango resident Mary C. Chavez died Saturday, Nov. 24, 2012, in Farmington, where she was living. She was 77.

Ms. Chavez was born to Celestino and Julinita (Martinez) Duran on March 26, 1935, in Tiffany.

She worked as a cook at numerous restaurants in Durango and Farmington, including Francisco’s Restaurante y Cantina and Clancy’s Pub.

“Mary was a very loving person who spent as much time at the river fishing as she could,” her family said. “She also used to save all her quarters, not for her laundry, but for the casino. She enjoyed eating out a lot at her favorite restaurants. She loved spending time with her family, but her heart was with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.”

Ms. Chavez was preceded in death by her sister Mary Carolyn Young two and a half weeks earlier; and grandson Brandon Padilla.

She is survived by her children Joey Padilla of Durango, Becky Chesnut of Redmesa and Danny Padilla and Kelly Padilla, both of Farmington; sisters Claudine Garcia and Della Moreno, both of Durango, Sally Valdez of Arboles, Alice Vigil of Denver and Emma Herrera of Roswell, N.M.; brother Rick Duran of Durango; eight grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren.

Cremation will occur. Visitation will take place from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 29, 2012, with a rosary to be recited at 7 p.m., at Hood Mortuary Chapel, 1261 East Third Ave. A memorial Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 1, 2012, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 254 East Fifth Ave., in Durango. Burial of ashes will occur after the Mass at Greenmount Cemetery.